Scalisi Skincare Founder Jill Scalisi

Behind the Bottle

Jill Scalisi embodies the characteristics you would expect of the woman behind a revolutionary anti-aging skincare line; accomplished, well-educated, surrounded by top tier scientists and driven to share her precisely formulated success with you. Today, as founder and CEO of the Scalisi Skincare line, Jill offers four products which she is personally confident will repair, protect and transform complexions.

1). How did you get started in this industry?

My first career was on Wall Street where I spent 20+ years. Then in 2008, while I was working at Lehman Brothers the firm not only went bankrupt but I was also diagnosed with skin cancer. I needed surgery; was told I was at risk going forward; and I needed to use SPF 30 every day. The problem was I could not find healthy, proven, anti-aging products with SPF 30. I was shocked that anti-aging products aimed to repair wrinkles but none repaired and prevented wrinkles. That's when I started researching which led to partnering with scientists and chemists to create the line we have today.

2). What is your star product or biggest breakthrough?

Our breakthrough product is our Anti-Aging Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30. There is absolutely nothing like it in the market. It is based on 10 years of peptide technology and has the science to support up to a 45% reduction in visible wrinkles but equally important is it is the lightest feeling SPF 30, so it also helps to prevent future wrinkles and skin cancer. It contains no retinol but has the same clinical results so Scalisi Skincare is safe for pregnant and nursing moms to use. It is FDA approved for Broad Spectrum; Dermatologist approved; contains no parabens and no oxybenzone - it really is unique.

3). Who/What inspires you?

My mom is my greatest inspiration. I remember when I got up the nerve to tell her I wanted to resign from Wall Street and do Scalisi Skincare full time. I was prepared for her to tell me I was crazy and irresponsible. Instead she said, "I'm going to buy you a t-shirt". I had absolutely no idea what she meant until she said...."you know the Nike one .....the one that says... Just Do it". I was shocked - and then I think I cried. She's also the one that ordered the Georgetown University application without telling me and said I wasn't allowed to have dinner until it was completed. Sometimes you really need someone great to push you outside of your comfort zone and my mom seems to do that often.

4). Be honest, what beauty products do you use regularly other than your own?

I absolutely love Lancome's Hypnose mascara in black. It was given to me by a friend of mine who is a make up artist and I have been hooked on it since then. It creates the long baby doll lashes without the need for false eyelashes and the straight wand allows you to get into the corners and outer edges of the eye. The other product I can't live without is Neutrogena Body Oil Light Sesame Formula. I put it on every morning after my shower - it's like a little spa in a bottle. It's moisturizing but also smells amazing so it is very relaxing.

5). Imagine the future of the beauty industry and give us your prediction of what's to come.

I think we will see a convergence of the three different skincare categories: 1) organic 2) medicinal and 3) beauty into one. When I created Scalisi Skincare it was because I wanted a science based product that didn't look and feel medicinal and wasn't harsh on my skin. I think we will see more beauty lines focus on the science and become cosmeceuticals so as to meet the demands of what the consumer expects in a product. At the same time, these science and beauty lines will become more like the organics by being respectful of the ingredients they use. I also think using a beautiful anti-aging SPF 30 product every day will become the norm. Similar to having fluoride in our water ... we don't debate it or discuss it, it's just there because we need it. As more women learn that 90% of their wrinkles are caused by the sun and that UVA rays go through glass....the more it is going to catch on that anti-aging isn't just about repairing wrinkles - it's about preventing them too.

6). Give our customers a beauty insider tip:

The secret to dewey soft skin is really having a fresh canvas to work with. First, you need to exfoliate and I recommend doing this daily. If you have dry skin and daily exfoliation is too much for you then try 2-3 times a week. It's really important to remember that your moisturizer can't work if it's sitting on dead skin cells. Second, you and your skin needs to stay hydrated. I hate the taste of water but it is so good for me and I know I need to drink more - so I put a slice of lemon in my glass and refill it throughout the day. Finally, I use a humidifier often and not just when I have a cold - it adds moisture back into the air and I can feel the difference in my skin the next morning.

6.5). In 140 characters or less, give us a beauty tip to Tweet and tell us where to follow you.

7). Extra Credit: Write personal reviews for some of the individual products in your line.

Anti-Aging Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30: It has the synthetic peptides which over produce collagen to repair existing wrinkles and it has the SPF 30 I need to prevent future wrinkles. I love putting this on my face in the morning - mostly because it feels so amazing (almost like silk) with a light clean scent.

Eye Cream: This has different peptides that target the fine lines and crows feet and contains ash bark tree extract to remove under eye puffiness. I use this under my eyes in the morning (not on the top because it will make it tough for the eye makeup to stay on) and then all around my eyes in the evening. The great thing about the Eye Cream and the Anti-Aging Moisturizer is that neither run nor sting the eyes - so both can be used by athletes as well.

Advanced Wrinkle Cream: This is our secret weapon against wrinkles. It has a higher concentration of the synthetic peptides used in our Anti-Aging Moisturizer plus it has another advanced injection-free peptide which minimizes the appearance of muscle tightening to prevent new wrinkles from forming.

These three products come in airless containers which means there is a disk on the bottom which forces the product to the top and you get about 95% of the product. There is no more need to scoop out what is left on the sides or the bottom of the bottle or worse stick your fingers in a jar.

Cleanser and Exfoliator: This product is also multifunctional: it cleans, exfoliates and hydrates your skin all day. It is meant for normal skin types and I keep one in the shower to use in the morning and one on the counter to use in the evening.